Gandhi, Mandela and Africa: Jaishankar recalls the historic bond between India and Africa

Oct 10, 2026

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, speaking at the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, highlights the deep historical bond between India and Africa. Recalling Nelson Mandela's memorable words about Mahatma Gandhi, Jaishankar explains how India's freedom struggle became intertwined with Africa's fight against colonialism and apartheid. He also traces the relationship back thousands of years, highlighting the Indian Ocean's role in connecting people, cultures, trade, traditions and ideas across the two continents. Jaishankar emphasises that India's solidarity with Africa was rooted not merely in geopolitics, but in a shared understanding of freedom, dignity and self-determination.